Coroner's crucial role in Thanasis' case sparks intense legal debate

The new judge overseeing the case, following approval of the family's request to replace the previous judge, expressed a commitment to expediting the death interrogation of Thanasis Nikolaou.

Today's proceedings mainly revolved around planning future steps, and a new court date has been set for November 10 at 12:00. On that day, a decision will be made regarding the involvement of forensic pathologist Panikos Stavrianos as an interested party.

The court sought input from the Legal Service and the family's lawyer on whether the proceedings should commence anew or if existing testimonial material and findings should serve as evidence, effectively picking up where the previous death interrogation left off.

Furthermore, the judge emphasized the importance of swiftly concluding the death interrogation, proposing a schedule of two or three presentations per week.

Both sides concurred that the process should continue based on the new evidence emerging after the exhumation of Thanasis Nikolaos' remains in 2020.

This evidence indicated that his death on September 29, 2005, was the result of a criminal act, contrary to the earlier ruling by forensic pathologist Panikos Stavrianos, who had initially deemed it a suicide.

The Legal Department characterized this case as unique, given the extensive testimonial material. It sought clarification from the court on whether, if called as a witness, the coroner Panikos Stavrianos could participate in the proceedings alongside his legal adviser as an interested party.

The family's lawyer argued against Stavrianos's necessity as a witness, stating that they intended to present two new expert testimonies that had emerged in recent years.

The next steps in the Thanasis Nikolaou case's death interrogation will be determined on November 10, when the court will announce its decision on the involvement of forensic expert Panikos Stavrianos in the proceedings.